On the night where the Ice Hawks introduced the newly formed “Community Club” hosting two minor Atom A1 teams from Richmond MHA were well entertained, both on and off the ice.
Delta entered the game 12 points ahead of Mission, but as we all know it’s anyone’s game and to pull off a win the message was simple – play a full 60 minutes and don’t take them for granted.
Delta is coming off a three game winning streak outscoring the opposition by a 14-5 margin and looking at keeping it rolling, sort of like a snowball going downhill.
With the exception of playing games on the ice, the Ice Hawks have been busy off-ice with player movement.
The Ice Hawks acquired Bradley Crompton December 1st from the Ridge Meadows Flames in exchange for Paul Georgopoulos for that elusive “future considerations” player.
Two other deals saw Delta deal Jordan Robinson (99) to the Knights for futures as well as Alexander Uryga (98) from the Wolf Pack for 96 born player Lucian Serban.
Mission entered the game having played 25 games sporting a record of 10-13-0-2 while Delta was sitting at 17-9-0-0 through 26 games.
While the standings saw a difference of 13 points this game would prove anything but a “cake walk” for Delta.
Delta started Cooper Anderson with a record of 5-2-0-0 through 9 games, while Mission City put Matthew Trulsen (5-11-0-0) through 16 games in hopes of stealing two points from Delta.
The new additions were hard pressed to prove they were worthy of the trade and placing Crompton on the line with Trotman and Rubin proved pure genius.
Pressing from the opening face-off saw Delta get Crompton his first goal as an Ice Hawk at 2:15 into the first, but this was short-lived.
Mission’s Captain Sharma showed why he wears the “C” as he set up Bowerman tieing the game at 7:58 and notching the go-ahead goal at 16:47 making it a 2-1 game for the visitors.
As the first was winding down Mission had Anderson moving from side to side trying to keep Delta in the game and it wasn’t until 18:48 while on the PP; Delta’s Magnus Cheung kept the puck in at the blue line sending it on the right side to Daniel Rubin, who slid it across to Crompton giving him his second of the game with his new team.
Both teams had several opportunities to take the lead, but each “tender” played stellar keeping the puck out with each facing 11 shots through the first period.
Delta jumped out to an early 3-2 lead in the second at 2:10 as newly acquired Erik Bocale was sent in from both Trotman and Rubin.
Delta turned the puck over in the neutral zone giving Mission another chance and this time they never missed as Bizzutto was set up from Captain Sharma and Dorey tieing the game at three.
Both teams had several chances in the second with Delta outshooting Mission by a narrow margin of 13-12 tally taking a 3-3 tie to the dressing room after two.
The third saw Delta with more urgency as the discussion prior to the game plan was simple – “it’s our home and we’re not giving away points to anyone.”
Tetsuya Prior gave Delta the go-ahead 4-3 lead at 5:55 of the third after being set-up from Stein and Bogress.
Mission’s Dosanjh was took a foolish penalty for cross-checking at 10:08 giving Delta another PP and this time they never missed.
Lin was set up at 10:24 on the PP after taking a pass from Suprynowicz and one half of the twin towers Cam Cuthbert putting Delta in command of their own destiny.
Mission called a T/O with just under three minutes left only to see the momentum shift to Delta setting up the 6th and final goal.
Delta’ Daniel Rubin was slipped a pass from (who else) Bradley Crompton allowing Delta to double up on the score, making it a 6-3 final.
Delta’s record now improves to 18-9-0-0 through 27 games once again tying them in the standings with the Steelers who face-off against the Kodiaks Wednesday night in Aldergrove.
Delta’s next opponent are the Port Moody Panthers Saturday December 10th at 7:45 pm in Port Moody, then return home December 13th to face the “stingy” Grandview Steelers at the Ladner Leisure Centre at 7:35 pm.
Game stars:
- 1st Daniel Rubin 3 Assists/1 Goal
- 2nd Bradley Crompton 2 Goals/1 Assist
- 3rd Ryan Sharma 1 Goal/2 Assists
If you and YOUR TEAM would like to be a part of the Delta Ice Hawks Community Club please feel free to contact Mr. Patrick Kennedy at DIHcommunityrelations@gmail.com
The Delta Ice Hawks are committed to building a strong team making Delta PROUD!!
